Bible Theme: The Birth of ChristWhat better month to learn about the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. This lesson will help you teach your children about what Christmas is really about, the Birthday Celebration of our savior.

"The Nativity" by Julie VivasThe biblical story of the Nativity is one about faith, love--and a miracle. With illustrations that are enchanting and unexpected, Julie Vivas reveals the human side to Mary's story, beautifully imagining the Angel Gabriel delivering the news to her, the exhausting journey with Joseph to Bethlehem, and at last the deliverance of the baby Jesus.

"We Three Kings" by Gennady SpirinOver two thousand years ago, three great kings journeyed across the desert, riding through the heat of day and dark of night. Each from a different region, each beckoned by the same gleaming star, each bearing treasures, each wishing to welcome a newborn asleep in a manger's hay -- a baby named Jesus, who would change the world.

Morning Circle:Review the letter "N" with the children. Ask them if they remember a word beginning with "N" that means "Christmas." Remind them that the word was "Noel." Sing, "The First Noel" with the children. Have the room decorated for a birthday party. Ask the children what they think of the decorations. Isn't this supposed to be Christmas, after all? Ask the children whose birthday they think it might be. They'll probably get the answer right! Remind the children that the reason we celebrate Christmas is to honor Jesus' birthday. Sing the rhyme, "Happy Birthday Jesus:" (Tune: "Jesus Loves Me")

Story TimeAsk the children what kinds of things they like to do on their birthdays. Most will say, "get presents!"

Read: We Three Kings , by Gennady Spirin. Discuss why these rich men would have travelled so far to bring gifts to this poor little boy born in a barn. Tie this in to how we give presents to each other at Christmas. Discuss what kinds of gifts we could give to Jesus. Explain that He doesn't want toys or things,

but that He loves gifts that come from our hearts. Ask the children for examples. If they have trouble getting started, suggest are prayer, praise, helping others, loving our neighbors, obeying our parents, being kind to our siblings, singing Him songs, etc.

Snack:Birthday cake! Since this is Jesus' birthday, have birthday cake and birthday treats. If you're wondering how many candles to put on the cake, try three (for the trinity.)

Music & Movement:

Pass out bells, tambourines, and triangles. Play "We Three Kings of Orient Are," and instruct the children to play their instruments softly at an appropriate rhythm to the song. See how softly they can play. Try giving different children different times to play their "parts." Experiment and enjoy the soft chiming sounds these instruments make.

Pin the Tail on the DonkeyUse this birthday party classic to tie into both the Nativity and Birthday Party themes. Consider using a wall mural of the Nativity (if it has a donkey pictured) for this activity. The focus should be to encourage the children to help each other and work as a team. Pair the children up and let each one help the other with their blindfolds and leading each other to the right spot on the wall.

Nativity Dramatic PlayIf you have small nativity sets, let the children play with these. Otherwise, small toy animals, a barn made from a shoe box, a little hay, and some plastic people will work as well.

StargazingProvide a variety of flashlights. Prepare black cardstock that has been cut to the shape of the flashlight ends. Punch holes of varying sizes into the cardstock to represent constellations. Tape the black cardstock onto the flashlights so that the children can point the beams into the "sky" and see lovely stars like the shepherds might have seen the night baby Jesus was born. Make sure you have a dark corner of the room for this center. For more fun, have a few glow-in-the-dark stars taped around this area as well.

Bible Song:"Away in a Manger." Click title for a printable version of the song.

Read: "The Nativity" by Julie Vivas.Remind the children that the letter "N"begins "Noel" and "Nativity." Review what the term "nativity" means. This charming picture book uses the traditional Luke account of the birth of Jesus. A wonderful way to tell the authentic Christmas story!

Nativity Finger playThis finger play is part of a short storytime lesson from our Sister site, "Groovy Storytimes" You can find the finger play and other resources here.

N is for NoahThis is a Bible Coloring Page of Noah opening up the ark widows to the dove.

Birthday Presents for JesusBirthday Craft Page 1Birthday Craft Page 2Provide a variety of small printables for the children to color in. You might have a picture of a heart, a musical note or treble clef, praying hands, a picture of a child doing a chore, a friend helping another friend, and a picture of a Bible. See if the children can name how each picture shows a gift we can give Jesus. After the children have colored their little "gifts," let them paste them onto colorful construction paper. Provide bows and ribbons, and show the children how to paste these onto their "presents" to look like a gift-wrapped box.

Optional Activity: Birthday CandlesThis is a cut and pasted activity where the children can cut out the candle and glue them onto the cake. For older children have them glue the right amount for their age.

Optional Activity: Handwriting PracticeThis is a page the children can color, and pracitce their handwriting skills, by writing "Happy Birthday Jesus" There are three candles on the cake representing God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Optional Activity: Christmas CarollingTake the children carolling at a nursing home or retirement village, to emphasize loving others and offering praise to God.